In a week where Manchester is crying, Real Madrid struggled and Arsenal showed off their title credentials, it is time to get up to speed with the best boot spots from the week just past with the Instep! As we do every week, we look at this weeks big boot switches, custom boot and retro boot spots to give you the first boot spotting low down on the web. This week saw the Nike Hi-Viz collection finally make it’s way onto the pitch, but there are a few surprises snuck away in our boot spotting that needs to be checked out…

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG) – Nike Mercurial Vapor IX

Zlatan Ibrahimovic PSG Mercurial Vapor IX edited

There does seem to be a little discontent from the pros when it comes to the Nike Hypervenom Phantom, and it seems Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a little unsure with the Hypervenom. Despite being the headline athlete for the Black/Lime Green Hypervenom Phantom, Ibrahimovic has switched back to the Nike Mercurial Vapor IX, being one of many stars showing off the new Electro Purple/Volt Vapor IX this weekend. There have been whispers that Zlatan prefers the narrow, slender fit of the Vapor over the wider Hypervenom, but Ibrahimovic back in the Vapor is something Nike probably did not want to see.

Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) – Nike Hypervenom Phantom

Wayne Rooney Manchester United Hypervenom Phantom edited

Nike used black as the primary colour on their first set of Nike Hypervenom Phantoms, now they have been given the Hi-Viz treatment. To be fair, in the games I saw this weekend, the contrast of electro purple and volt made the Hypervenom stand out on the pitch, so it could all be a little plan by Nike to make sure the Hypervenom gets pushed into the limelight. Rooney gave his new Electro Purple/Volt Hypervenoms a nice little debut with a goal, but it was not enough as United succumbed to a shock loss against West Brom.

Vincent Kompany (Manchester City) – Warrior Sports Skreamer S-Lite

Vincent Kompany Manchester City Skreamer S-Lite edited

It is the season for new boots, and Warrior Sports have entered the party with not only the White/Black/Pink Gambler Pro, but also the Orange/Black/Yellow Skreamer S-Lite that could pass as an awesome Halloween-inspired colourway. Vincent Kompany was given the honour of debuting the new colourway, and after the smooth White/Blue/Red colourway Warrior launched at the start of the season, they are changing things up a bit with the grungy Orange/Black/Yellow colourway. We love the creativity Warrior are showing with the Skreamer, but the colourway could be a touch garish for some…

Carlos Tevez (Juventus) – Nike CTR360 Maestri III

Carlos Tevez Juventus CTR edited

The Nike Hi-Viz collection was always going to divide people, but it may have even left a few of the professionals split about the aesthetics of the boot. While Carlos Tevez did wear the new Volt/Electro Purple CTR360 Maestri III this weekend, he also pulled out the old Blue/Volt/Black CTR360 Maestri III for half of Juventus’ game against Torino. Tevez is not the only star seen out of the Hi-Viz collection of boots, Daniel Sturridge and Jack Wilshere were two other players who stuck to older Nike colourways this weekend.

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) – adidas Nitrocharge 1.0

Steven Gerrard Liverpool Nitrocharge edited

Gerrard cannot seem to keep out of our boot spotting this year, and with good reason, the Predator mainstay has been flirting with the adiPure and Nitrocharge ranges since the start of the season. We thought we saw the end of the saga with Gerrard making appearances in the Predator over the past month, but he again brought out the Nitrocharge in Liverpool’s games against Manchester United and Sunderland. Adidas have been citing a ‘blister’ issue as the reason why Gerrard has not been wearing the Predator, but if this switch ever becomes permanent, it is a massive victory for the Nitrocharge range and a big loss for the Predator.

John Terry (Chelsea) – Nike Tiempo Legend IV

John Terry Chelsea Tiempo IV edited

The Nike Tiempo range, home to your classic white, black or blue boots? It does not seem like it anymore, as Nike released the brightest Tiempo of all time with the new Volt/Green Glow Tiempo Legend IV. A leather upper normally means boot manufacturers are restricted when it comes to the colour ways they can release, but Nike have pushed the barriers out with the Hi-Viz Tiempo IV. We were not too sure what the reception for the new Tiempo IV would be like, but it seems a majority of the Tiempo IV endorsers switched into the new colourway, including John Terry. It does seem strange to see Terry wearing such bright boots though…

Robinho (AC Milan) – Nike Hypervenom Phantom

Robinho AC Milan Nike Hypervenom edited

After years of seeing him wearing the Nike Mercurial Vapor, it looks like Robinho may be looking to change things up with the Nike Hypervenom Phantom. The Brazilian was seen wearing the boots during the pre-season, but he has been staying with the Vapor ever since then. Considering Neymar is the headline athlete for the range, Robinho is the sort of player Nike are trying to target with the Hypervenom Phantom (damn those talented Brazilians), so if the switch is a permanent one, we might see Robinho replace Ibrahimovic in the Hypervenom commercials!

Marcos Senna (New York Cosmos) – adidas Predator LZ II

Marcos Senna New York Cosmos Predator LZ edited

Nike are not the only brand with a bright pack of boots at the moment, adidas got there first with the US exclusive Electricity/Red/Black Predator LZ II colourway. The boot, which is a nod to the legendary electricity adidas Predator Accelerator, has not had too much exposure on the feet of the pros, but there is no denying the gorgeous looks of the boots. Adidas are not the only brand releasing modern versions of classic boots, Nike will be doing something similar soon, but you will just have to be patient for it…

Jonny Howson (Norwich City) – Nike CTR360 Trequartista III (Custom)

Jonny Howson Norwich City CTR360 III edited

As nice as it is to have bright football boots, you sometimes cannot beat your classy whiteout boots. Nike never really release whiteout boots (I wish they did though, blimey I would love a whiteout pair of Vapors or Hypervenoms), but Jonny Howson has got around the problem by creating his own White/Blue CTR360 Trequartista III. Howson gave the boots a nice debut with a top-notch 20 yarder for Norwich’s only goal over Stoke this weekend, which put Norwich on the same amount of points as Manchester United (I love telling my mates about that…).

That is it for our boot spotting today, what was your favourite spot this week? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

 

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